Running with Pilgrim: More laps in the 2009 Cadillac CTS V

The Nurburgring-record-setting silver 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is now making its way across the country on a barnstorming tour of sorts. Its latest appearance was at an enthusiast event at the Auto Club/California Speedway in Fontana, California, put on by Cadillac tuner D3 Research & Development. Yours truly managed to sneak a few ride-along laps in the 7 minute 59.32 second Caddy.This CTS-V is virtually stock. The only non-production items being the bolt-in harness bar (GM says it's attached in a way that doesn't improve rigidity), race seats, test equipment, and fire system. In all, about 20 pounds extra. It's also equipped with a rear differential cooler, a dealer-installed accessory that's unnecessary for the street but recommended for track use.

Auto Club Speedway's 1.4-mile infield road course is no Nurburgring. It's not even the "Lutzring" at GM's Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan on which Motor City Blogman Todd Lassa got his laps with John Heinricy behind the wheel. But it is not a bad track, either, with a few good curveball corners and a pair of straights on which to pick up speed. The pilot for the ride was Andy Pilgrim, who drives the Cadillac CTS-V R in the Speed World Challenge series.Despite having never driven the course or a '09 CTS-V before that morning, the veteran Brit was putting in scorcher laps, topping out at around 130 mph on the track's main straight. The car never stepped out on him, kept its balance, and compliantly transitioned from corner to corner. And this is a two-ton luxury sedan, not a sports car.

Pilgrim commended the car for its balance, quietness, phenomenal power, and superb brakes. He said that when he got into the driver's seat, he "felt immediately like a part of the car" and that overall, it was a "great place to work." He said it compared favorably to competing German offerings, its key advantage being its balance.The passenger's thoughts? Two thumbs up and a stupid grin.

I agree with DDAVVIIDD. A 500+ hp car is very unecessary in our world today. Don't knock the man for stating his opinion. 2007g35x. atvman and genuwine and people like them is one of the reason(s) why our gas prices are so high. Too much demand and never satisfied with a regular car. I like it but this car symbolized the typical rich fat american. 2007G35x, I'm I bet you are a small man with a flashy car as a eagle boaster to make up for your short comings.

why is everyone hating on ddavviidd? he is just an average american making an average salary. But this review is written from the point of view of rich guys. and this is one hell of a car! I can wait to get my own! Probably in black.

WOW what a BEAUTIFUL CAR!!! Cadillac you go,someone finally designed a really nice car for a change.Love at first sight.No other car maker compares to this sweet car.The sweetest thing is ,it is AMERICAN MADE!!!!!! That says it all .

DDAVVIDD educate yourself: Global Warming is an international hoax aimed at hexing the American people with carbon and energy penalty taxes. Its already happening in Australia. The temperature of the earth is determined by activity on the sun's surface. Al Gore is funneling money into his British environmental company iof which he is a CFO. WAKE UPThis car is so gorgeous, and the coupe will be even nicer. I haven't purchased a new bimmer yet because of the horrific design. Chris Bangle destroyed some of BMWs heritage (and sales)Hopefully these cars will save the American auto business.

This car appears to be the real deal. While most mags continue to compare the CTS to the 3-series/C-class/A4, the reality is that this is a larger car that belongs in the 5-series/E-class/A6 range. Thus, the only logical competition for this car is the M5 (butt ugly), E63 (too expensive) and RS6 (forget the "normal" S6) which may not even make it to the U.S. Thus, the choices in the mid-size high-end sport sedan segment are limited. As a life-long fan of the Germans, I find myself seriously considering this car for a daily commuter, even over an Audi product which is far more practical for my Northeast winters. While it's looks may be polarizing, the interior is fantastic and if the build quality holds up, this is a major blow to all of Europe.

I believe that a "greenie weenie" stumbled on to this blog by mistake. Wouldn't a "performance" version of a plug-in hybrid Prius be a hoot? Could you image the size of the owner's electricity bill charging it every month and the cost of imminent battery replacement after a few runs down Al Gore's driveway? Ha Haa!

I love how it has the Nurburgring sticker on the back with the record track time in the middle. I bet GM will hold on to this thing forever. 25 years from now, they will have this car, look at it and say, "That was the car that beat everything germany had to offer back in the day."

atvman, rybmel07, ginuwine, remember, according to DDAVVIIDD, VW makes the best cars in the world. This kids an 18 year old moron who knows nothing about the real world and proves it every time he posts some inane reply to anything. I'm as guilty as the next for wasting my time on this kid. The upside is that someone made a name VERY similar to this and mocks him every chance he gets. look for it, it has 3 V's instead of 2. Funny as hell.

DDAVVIIDD- Go back to the Nature Conservancy. Any lucky person who has the dough to buy this beautiful car isn't going to worry about fuel prices, and 500 hp won't make such a big difference with global warming. I can't wait-battle of the Germans vs. the American. Who will win?

DDAVVIIDD, Anyone who can afford these luxury cars, (CTS-V, M5, C63 AMG, E Series AMG, etc.) Doesn't need to worry about gas mileage. I remember watching the press release of the Bugatti Veyron and the man who was introducing it said this: "You wonder about gas mileage, well, if you're worried about gas mileage, you cannot afford this car." In the same sense, if you're worried about gas mileage; you cannot afford this car. Besides, 6 mpg is a little low. I bet this car could reach 20 on the highway and 15-17 city. I agree with 2007g35xowner: This car is not meant for the hourly worker, but for the corporate executive who wants to look good and feel young again.

DDAVVIIDD, who do you think the luxury cars are targeted at demographically? The hourly wage worker? I'm willing to say the target buyer for this car has an income of over $180k. They can afford the gas going into these cars without a problem. Just admit that the car looks impressive as hell on paper, and will hopefully be just as nice in person. At 18years old, I'm sure that every car company should be listening to what you feel their future directions should go. Based on your posts, get the funding and start up your own Auto company. You are the worlds foremost expert (in your little mind anyway).

i gotta admit, this car is an American Marvel. But, who needs a 500+ hp car?with the global warming, fuel costs, etc, buying such a car isnt a good idea.Cadillac should have been engineering a Hybrid version of the popular CTS, which would obviously sell like crazy. But the same thing goes for all the Germans and now, Lexus.besides that, its good looking, and i bet it will beat the M5, but the BMW is gonna come 3x harder when the M5 is redesigned probably by 2011. hm...a long way to go.BUT NEXT TIME, ALL AUTOMANIFACTURES SHOULD BE CONSENTRATING ON BUILDING HYDRID VERSIONS OF THEIR BEST SELLING LUXURY MODELS, NOT MAKING PERFORMANCE VERSIONS. THE HYDRIDS WILL SELL MORE CUZ OF THE FUEL CRISIS AND THE ENVIRONMENT. ONLY RICH PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD 6 MPG CARS WILL PURCHASE SUCH CARS.

I thought that was impossible to have better balance then the godly BMW. Better interior, exterior, motor, and chassis than a BMW. The snobs are going to have to come up with another reason why they won't ever lower themselves to drive an American luxury sedan. I'm guessing that someone will say that it won't last long, and the next M5 will be head over heals better than Cadzilla. The Germans better get their act together before they fall even farther behind.